Cookies

This Cookie Policy explains how Buddy Blind (“we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on buddyblind.com and, where relevant, local storage or similar device storage in the Buddy Blind app (together, the “Service”).

It forms part of our privacy disclosures under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) of Hong Kong and should be read with our Privacy Policy (including our Personal Information Collection Statement), Terms & Conditions, and Community Guidelines.

By continuing to use the website after this notice is made available, or by using the app, you acknowledge this Cookie Policy. If you do not agree, stop using the Service and clear cookies or app data as described below.

We use these technologies to operate and secure Buddy Blind, not to sell an advertising profile of you.

1. What cookies and similar technologies are

Cookies are small text files a site stores on your browser or device. We may also use:

• local storage or session storage in the browser or app;
• security tokens and session identifiers;
• pixels or tags only if we introduce them later and update this page;
• technologies set by payment providers (for example Stripe) when you pay or save a card.

Some of these items may be or contain personal data under Cap. 486 when they can be linked to you (for example a logged-in session). How we use personal data is governed by the Privacy Policy.

2. Strictly necessary cookies and storage

These are required to provide the Service you request. Examples include cookies or storage that:

• keep you logged in;
• remember the seat you are confirming;
• protect forms and flows from abuse, bots, and fraud;
• maintain security and session integrity;
• remember that you have seen or accepted essential legal notices where needed to operate the Service.

The site and checkout flows do not work properly without them.

Strictly necessary cookies used solely to provide a service you request do not need a separate marketing opt-in under Cap. 486 Part 6A. Blocking them may break login, seat confirmation, or payment.

We may treat app local storage used for the same necessary jobs (login session, draft seat state, security) in the same way.

3. Preferences

We may store your language or display preference, whether you have dismissed a non-critical notice or banner, and similar interface choices that stay on your device. These help the Service remember your choices. They are not used to sell your data or to advertise Buddy Blind to you on third-party sites.

4. Payments

When you save a card, pay the HKHK$5 trust and security fee, start a trial, or pay a plan, Stripe (or our then-current payment provider) may set cookies or similar technologies on their flows.

• Those technologies are controlled in whole or in part by Stripe, under Stripe’s own policies.
• We use payment-related processing to charge fees, prevent payment fraud, and support the trust and security purposes described in our Terms and Privacy Policy (including linking a confirmed seat to a payment method). The HKHK$5 charge is not a restaurant booking fee and is not payment for food or drink.
• We do not use Stripe cookies to run third-party advertising to you on other sites.
• We do not store your full card number on Buddy Blind systems.

Buddy Blind is not responsible for Stripe’s independent cookie practices beyond requiring appropriate contractual protections where Cap. 486 applies. Read Stripe’s disclosures before you pay.

5. Analytics

At the date of this policy, we do not describe a separate advertising-analytics cookie stack on Buddy Blind.

If we later use first-party or limited analytics to understand traffic, fix errors, or improve the Service, we will update this page before relying on non-essential analytics cookies where a fresh notice is appropriate. Where analytics involves personal data, the Privacy Policy purposes apply.

Until this page says otherwise, do not assume third-party ad trackers are active on Buddy Blind.

6. What we do not do

Unless we update this page and, where Cap. 486 Part 6A requires, obtain a separate opt-in:

• we do not sell cookie data;
• we do not run third-party advertising cookies on Buddy Blind;
• we do not allow other users or restaurants to drop advertising cookies through our Service;
• we do not use cookies to build a saleable advertising profile of you.

If that changes, we will update this page and ask before any non-essential marketing cookie is set.

7. Direct marketing and Cap. 593

Cookies alone are not direct marketing. If we use personal data for direct marketing, that is governed by Cap. 486 Part 6A and our Privacy Policy (separate opt-in; free opt-out).

If we send commercial electronic messages with a Hong Kong link, Cap. 593 may apply. Service messages about seats, charges, trust and security, or account security are not optional marketing.

8. How to refuse

Website: You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. You may also use private or incognito mode. If you block strictly necessary cookies, login, seat confirmation, and checkout (including the HKHK$5 trust and security fee or plan payments) may fail. That is a consequence of your settings.

App: The mobile app may use local storage or similar technologies for necessary jobs. Clearing the app’s data, reinstalling, or logging out typically clears those items and logs you out.

Browser “Do Not Track” signals are not consistently defined. We do not promise a particular response to DNT beyond what this policy and the Privacy Policy already state.

9. Third-party sites

If you follow a link to a restaurant site, Stripe-hosted page, app store, or other third party, their cookies and privacy practices apply. Buddy Blind does not control those sites and is not responsible for their cookies.

10. Retention on your device

Session cookies typically expire when you close the browser. Persistent cookies remain until they expire or you delete them. App local storage remains until cleared, logout, or uninstall, unless refreshed by the app for security.

Server-side personal data retention (account, seats, payments) is described in the Privacy Policy, not by cookie expiry alone.

11. Your responsibility

You are responsible for the device and browser you use, who else can access that device, and the cookie and storage settings you choose.

To the fullest extent Hong Kong law allows, Buddy Blind is not liable for loss arising solely from your decision to block necessary cookies, share a device, or use an insecure browser, except where Hong Kong law does not allow that limit.

12. Changes

We may update this Cookie Policy. The “Last updated” date will change. Continued use of the Service after an update means you acknowledge the new version. If we introduce non-essential marketing cookies, we will update this page and obtain any opt-in Cap. 486 requires before relying on them for direct marketing.

13. Contact

Privacy / cookies: privacy@buddyblind.com

Legal / Terms: legal@buddyblind.com

You may also contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong.